Government on Saturday said it is expected to take a decision on privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports at the meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers on January 24.
"We have asked some clarifications from the Shreedharan committee on its recommendations and when the EGoM meets on Jan 24 we expect to take a decision," Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters here on the sidelines of Fourth Auto Summit organised by Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations.
The eGOM on airport modernisation had sought more clarifications from the experts committee on its revaluation of bidders so that the government can meet its deadline of completing the transaction before January 31
Sreedharan has been asked to respond at the earliest, so that the eGoM can next meet on January 24, sources said.
The sources said the Sreedharan panel had been asked to suggest the three best bidders for the Delhi and Mumbai airports. The panel has been asked to add one more name for both the airports — apart from the existing two (GMR, Reliance) who have already been qualified by the consultants. The aim: to increase competition.
Several eGoM members were said to be unhappy with the panel's recommendations. It was thought that the suggestions were fraught with legal implications and could cause delays.
{{/usCountry}}Several eGoM members were said to be unhappy with the panel's recommendations. It was thought that the suggestions were fraught with legal implications and could cause delays.
{{/usCountry}}The eGoM also reportedly rejected the Planning Commission's plans to go for the special purpose vehicle (SPV) route to modernise the airports. The view was that if the Airports Authority of India floated an SPV, it would be difficult for it to raise resources from overseas investors.